NASA confirmed that images transmitted from the American lander Athena, developed by Intuitive Machines, after its landing on the lunar surface indicate that the spacecraft is resting on its side. The lander, which touched down in the Mons Mouton region approximately 160 km from the Moon’s South Pole, has depleted its batteries. Given the orientation of its solar panels and the extremely low temperatures on the lunar surface, Athena is unable to recharge, leading to the definitive conclusion that its mission is complete. NASA teams are now focused on analyzing the data collected during the mission. This outcome underscores the challenges of lunar exploration and the need for robust engineering solutions to cope with the harsh environments encountered on celestial bodies.
